Professional Background

Educational Background

Scholarly Interests

Metacognition and problem solving, technology-mediated cultural interactions and their impact on teacher professional development and reflection, and student domain subject understanding, influence of technology-rich learning environments on lesson development, trans-cultural collaboration among teachers and students

Lin, X., & Lehman, J. D. (1999). Supporting learning of variable
control in a computer-based biology environment: Effects of prompting college
students to reflect on their own thinking. Journal
of Research in Science Teaching, 36(7), 837.

Dr. Lin studies metacognition and problem solving, and the ways that cultural interactions with the help of technology can facilitate domain subject learning and personal reflection. She develops technology-rich learning environments and explores how such environments influence cross-cultural collaboration and reflection. She finds that technologies make it possible for teachers and students from different cultures to collaborate in fundamentally new ways. This offers exciting opportunities for metacognitive awareness. Her most recent research explores the creation of 3D Virtual Learning Environments that permit teachers from different cultures to collaborate. She hopes that these studies will lead to design principles that can transform the obstacles of geographical and cultural distance into new opportunities for learning.

HUDK 4080: Educational psychology

Examines landmark issues in educational psychology, highlighting philosophical underpinnings and empirical evidence, tracing each issue from its roots to contemporary debates and evaluating current educational practice.

HUDK 5042: Motivation in education

Overview of student motivation in an academic context from a cognitive psychology perspective. Examines theories of academic motivation, their constructs, and linkages between constructs and student engagement and academic achievement.

HUDK 5324: Research work practicum

Students learn research skills by participating actively in an ongoing faculty research project.

HUDK 6539: Research practicum in educational psychology, cognition, and learning

Permission required. Limited to doctoral candidates in psychology.

Centers and Projects

The Center on Chinese Education, Teachers College Columbia University (CoCE) is aimed at contributing to a better understanding of education in China and to educational exchange between the United States and China. It seeks to achieve this mission through three categories of activities: research and development, education and training, as well as outreach and exchange. These activities will draw upon the historically special relationship between Chinese education and Teachers College, the interests and expertise of the faculty at Teachers College, as well as expertise and resources outside of Teachers College. Major funding for the Center's activities is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Ford Foundation.